Lugoloobi was arrested and indicted in June 2023 on two counts of dealing with suspect property, after allegedly diverting 700 iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.
Kololo, Uganda: The Anti-Corruption Court has officially ended criminal proceedings against State Minister for Finance (Planning and Economic Development), Amos Lugoloobi, after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi, a formal notice discontinuing prosecution in the Karamoja iron sheets case.
Presiding Judge Justice Jane Kajuga on Tuesday terminated the two-year legal battle, citing Article 120 of the Constitution, which empowers the DPP to decide whether to pursue or withdraw criminal charges.
“This morning, as stated by counsel for the state, the matter was coming up for further defence hearing. We have not proceeded because a nolle prosequi has been presented by way of termination of proceedings,” Justice Kajuga ruled. “Having proceeded with the nolle prosequi, the proceedings stand terminated. I discharge him with immediate effect.”
The court also ordered that all bail funds, land titles, and other securities deposited by the minister be refunded, and his sureties discharged. “Mr Lugoloobi, you are a free man,” Justice Kajuga declared, commending both the prosecution and defence for their professionalism throughout the trial.
Lugoloobi was arrested and indicted in June 2023 on two counts of dealing with suspect property, after allegedly diverting 700 iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.
He was among several ministers and government officials implicated in the scandal involving relief items procured under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) but later distributed to politicians.
During his defence earlier this year, the minister denied any wrongdoing, insisting he had complied with President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to return the items.
“As per the President’s directive, I returned 300 iron sheets that were not yet used, and for those that were already in use, I bought new ones and delivered them to OPM stores,” Lugoloobi told court.
He also argued that OPM documents did not indicate that the materials were strictly for Karamoja, adding that legislators often received such items for community support in disaster-affected areas.
Lugoloobi also questioned why other ministers, including Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and State Minister Henry Musasizi, who had also received iron sheets, were not charged.
In 2023, DPP Justice Jane Frances Abodo declined to sanction files against several top government officials over insufficient evidence.
Tuesday’s court decision now formally closes all criminal proceedings against Minister Lugoloobi in the iron sheets saga.
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